“These areas will serve as a safe place to exchange and complete transactions of online purchases.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

From MPD:

“To combat robberies in the District, Chief Cathy L. Lanier and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) have designated three Exchange Zone areas. These areas will serve as a safe place for residents and visitors to exchange and complete transactions of online purchases.

Several individuals in the District have been targeted after using mobile marketplace applications to buy or sell items. Suspects have used these online platforms to lure victims to meet them at locations to purchase or sell an item and when the victim arrives, a pre-staged robbery occurs.

“The Exchange Zone will deter many of these robberies by providing well-lit areas that are near police stations, giving Washingtonians a safe place to purchase or exchange property,” said Chief Cathy Lanier. “The community can do their part by safely buying, selling and trading online goods at our designated locations.”

The three Exchange Zone locations include:

Special Operations Division’s Harbor Patrol/ 550 Water Street, Southwest,
Third District/ 1620 V Street, Northwest,
Sixth District/ 5002 Hayes Street, Northeast

MPD would also like to remind the public of these safety tips when selling or purchasing items from strangers:

· Never meet anyone alone.

· Never list your home address, phone number, or any other identifiable information.

· Never meet at night.

MPD will continue to focus significant resources on reducing robberies across the city. If you have any information related to a robbery, you can anonymously text us at 50411 or call 202-727-9099.”